Verslag spoedvergadering Raad van Buitenlandse Zaken over Egypte (en)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 356 PR CO 42
PRESS RELEASE
3255th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 21 August 2013
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
Main results of the Council
The Council met urgently at the invitation of the High Representative in order to discuss the recent events in Egypt and implications for the EU's policy.
The Council expressed great concern for the current events in Egypt and condemned in the clearest possible terms all acts of violence. Ministers urged all political parties to engage in a real and inclusive dialogue to restart a democratic process.
Mindful of the needs of the Egyptian people the Council discussed the issue of assistance to Egypt and tasked the EUHigh Representative review the issue ofEU assistance to Egypt. In order to avoid negative impact on the most vulnerable groups of Egyptian society, assistance in the socioeconomic sector and support to civil society will continue. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and readjust its cooperation accordingly.
Member States agreed to suspend export licenses to Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression and to reassess export licences of equipment covered by Common Position /CFSP and review their security assistance with Egypt.
PROVISIONAL VERSION
CONTTS1
21 August 2013
PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................4
ITEMS DEBATED
Egypt....................................................................................................................................................6
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
WRITT PROCEDURES
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-EU-ACP partnership - Suspension of measures against Zimbabwe........................................................................8
Restrictive measures directed against certain persons in Tunisia............................................................................8
Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks. Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site (http ://www. consilium. europa, eu)
Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press Office
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
PARTICIPANTS
High Representative
Belgium:
Mr Dirk WOUTERS
Bulgaria:
Mr Kristian VIGIN
Czech Republic:
Mr Jiff SCHNEIDER
Denmark:
Mr Villy S0VNDAL
Germany:
Mr Guido WESTERWELLE Estonia:
Mr Urmas PAET Ireland:
Mr Eamon GILMORE
Greece:
Mr Evangelos VIZELOS Spain:
Mr José Manuel GARCIA-MARGALLO MARFIL France:
Croatia:
Ms Vesna PUSIC
Italy:
Cyprus:
Mr Ioannis KASOULIDES
Latvia:
Mr Edgars RINKËVICS
Lithuania:
Mr Linas A. LINKEVICIUS
Luxembourg:
Mr Jean ASSELBORN
Hungary:
Mr Janos MARTONYI
Malta:
Ms Mariene BONNICI
Netherlands:
Austria:
Poland:
Mr Piotr SERAFIN
Portugal:
Mr Rui MACHETE
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Permanent Representative
Minister for Foreign Affairs
First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister for Foreign Affairs
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs Permanent Representative Minister for Foreign Affairs
Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs
State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister of State and for Foreign Affairs
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
Romania:
Mr Titus CORLATEAN Slovenia:
Mr Karl ERJAVEC Slovakia:
Mr Peter JAVORCFK Finland:
Mr Erkki TUOMIO.TA
Sweden:
Mr Carl BILDT
United Kingdom:
Mr William HAGUE
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Deputy- Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs
First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Commission:
Mr Stefan FÜLE
Member
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
ITEMS DEBATED Egypt
The Council had an in-depth discussion on the situation in Egypt. It adopted the following conclusions:
" 1. The European Union has a long and close relationship with the Egyptian people and stands by them in their ongoing search for democracy, respect for human rights, dignity, social justice and security. The EU recalls the events of 25 January 2011, and the aspirations of millions of Egyptians and sacrifices of many for these ideals. The EU regards Egypt as an important neighbour and partner
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2.It is therefore with great concern that the EU is following current events in Egypt, in particular since last Wednesday. The EU condemns in the clearest possible terms all acts of violence. The EU believes the recent operations of the Egyptian security forces have been disproportionate and have resulted in an unacceptable large number of deaths and injuries. In this context, it notes the announcement on 18 August 2013 to launch an independent investigation into all the killings, and calls on the government to exercise restraint
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3.The EU strongly condemns acts of terrorism such as the murder of policemen in the Sinai, destruction of many churches and the targeting of the Coptic community, attacks on government installations and museums. In this regard, the EU recalls that it defends freedom of religion or belief in any circumstances, and condemns any attack against any place of worship, and against any person because of their religion or beliefs
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4.The EU calls on all Egyptians to halt the cycle of violence and refrain from actions that would incite further violence, including provocations, incitement and hate speech. Perpetrators must be brought to justice. While the EU respects the government's responsibility for maintaining security for all citizens it calls on the Egyptian authorities to end the state of emergency, to restore due process as a matter of urgency, to release all political prisoners and respect international obligations regarding the treatment of detainees
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5.The EU urges all political parties to engage in a real and inclusive dialogue in order to restore a democratic process responding to the legitimate requests and aspirations of the Egyptian people. The EU looks forward to the rapid convening of an inclusive national dialogue open to all political forces and takes note of the reaffirmation by the Egyptian authorities of their commitment to implement the Roadmap as stated in the declaration of 20 August. Political discourse must not be violent and political groups not excluded or banned as long as they renounce violence and respect democratic principles. Political reconciliation and working together in a peaceful manner in order to return on the path to democracy is the only solution. It is for the Egyptian people to decide on the way forward; to agree on a constitution as the basis for a democratic Egypt in full respect of the division of powers with the necessary checks and balances leading to free and fair elections in which all parties can compete
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
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6.The prosperous future of Egypt can only be based on a democratic solution with fully functioning democratic institutions that protect all citizens of Egypt, including persons belonging to minorities and women, and their rights, including the right to peaceful protest, in which the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular of assembly and expression, religion or belief, as well as the right of fair trial are fully respected. These rights should be guaranteed by the rule of law and protected by a fully empowered civilian government
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7.Mindful of the needs of the Egyptian people, the Council discussed the issue of assistance to Egypt. The Council tasked the High Representative, in cooperation with the Commission, to review the issue of EU assistance to Egypt under the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Association Agreement on the basis of Egypt's commitment to the principles that underpin them. The Council expressed its concern over the economic situation in the country and the negative impact on the most vulnerable groups of Egyptian society. Therefore assistance in the socio-economic sector and to civil society will continue. The EU will monitor the situation in Egypt closely and readjust its cooperation accordingly
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8.Member States also agreed to suspend export licenses to Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression and to reassess export licences of equipment covered by Common Position /CFSP and review their security assistance with Egypt
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9.The Council welcomes the High Representative's sustained engagement on this issue, including her recent visits to the region and her readiness for new efforts if circumstances allow. The EU reiterates its willingness to support a revived process of inclusive political dialogue and possible elections in Egypt, including to continue the good offices of the High Representative and the EUSR for the Southern Mediterranean working closely with international and regional partners
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10.The EU reiterates its readiness to assist the people of Egypt in their quest for a stable, inclusive, democratic and prosperous Egypt."
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 August 2013
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED WRITT PROCEDURES
EU-ACP partnership - Suspension of measures against Zimbabwe
The Council adopted on 9 August 2013 by written procedure an extension to decision adapting and suspending the period of application of appropriate measures limiting cooperation with Zimbawe ().
Considering the political situation in Zimbabwe at this time, decision established appropriate measures limiting EU cooperation with this country within the framework of the EU-ACP partnership agreement. However, in 2012, in order to demonstrate the EU commitment to the improvement of the political situation in Zimbabwe, the Council adopted decision suspending the application of the appropriate measures. The validity of this suspension is therefore extended until 20 February 2014
Restrictive measures directed against certain persons in Tunisia
On 30 July 2013, the Council adopted by written procedure an implementing Decision implementing Decision /CSDP, and an implementing Regulation implementing Regulation (EU) No , both concerning restrictive measures directed against persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Tunisia. The adopted decisions refer to the entries of three persons in the list of persons and entities to be replaced and new statements of reasons to be provided with regard to their designation